Bubble toy device

ABSTRACT

The invention is a bubble toy device for producing air bubbles from bubble solution. The invention contains a fan for producing a stream of air and a fan shroud to channel the stream of air through a dispensing ring and into an ambient environment. Upon compression of a trigger, an electric circuit is activated which energizes a motor that operates the fan, and also a pump in some embodiments. The pump delivers bubble solution to the dispensing ring, and a trigger activated film producing mechanism attached to the air channel creates a film of bubble solution across the dispensing ring during interaction with an application bar. A separate internal sealed container with external contacts serves as a battery compartment for containment of removably-insertable batteries. This sealed container is accessible on the side of the invention&#39;s handle and a door is removeably-attached by use of an attaching device, fastener, or screw. The invention can comprise a lighting system and/or at least one (1) sound producing device.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/831,143, which was filed Jun. 5, 2013 and is incorporated hereinby reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to toys, and more specificallyto a battery powered toy device that produces bubbles from a liquidsolution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There have been many bubble toys over the years that operate in variousways. However, most bubble toys are hand-held rings that are eitherblown through or hand waved by the user to produce a small amount ofbubbles. It is desired to provide a toy that produces a steady stream ofbubbles and a safe entertainment for a child. The present invention isan improved battery powered toy device that produces bubbles from aliquid solution. In the present invention, the battery compartment canbe a sealed container with external contacts, which prevents fluid frompenetrating the interior of such container and the battery. The presentinvention also has an improved access to the battery compartmentinterior. Additionally, the present invention improves the quality ofplay pattern with the addition of lights and/or sounds in acost-effective manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a bubble toy device that produces bubbles bypulling a trigger, which causes power to be applied to an electricalcircuit and/or system that activates a pump, or pump mechanism, and afan, or fan mechanism. In one (1) embodiment, the pump can beelectromechanical and driven by an electric motor. In other embodiments,the pump can be purely mechanical and activated by a trigger mechanismin a similar manner as mechanical water pistols are trigger activated.

One (1) embodiment of the present invention has a separate sealedinternal battery compartment with external (i.e., exteriorly connected)electrical contacts within the bubble toy device. If the pump iselectromechanical and driven by an electric motor, such separate sealedinternal battery compartment with external electrical contacts providesthe source of power that drives an electrical motor, which operates thepump and the fan that produces a moving stream of air, or air streamthat flows through an air channel within the fan shroud. Such movingstream of air originates as stationary or near-stationary ambient airoutside the housing of the invention, which enters the housing throughholes, and is subsequently accelerated by the fan to produce the movingstream of air. The air channel within the fan shroud directs the airstream towards a secondary opening of the bubble toy device housingthrough a generally circular-shaped dispensing aperture defined within amovable dispensing ring, which directs the air stream back to theambient.

The sealed battery compartment of the present invention can have a coverthat is attached, and separated or opened by the use of an attaching andremoving device, fastener or screw, which is to be tightened to close,and loosened or removed to open. The sealed battery compartment isdesigned to allow insertion and removal of batteries from the side of ahandle on said compartment. The sealed battery compartment can also belocated above the fan shroud on the top of the bubble toy device. If thesealed battery compartment is located above the fan shroud on the top ofthe bubble toy device, the batteries can be inserted and removed fromthe top and/or side of said compartment.

In one (1) embodiment of the present invention the moveable dispensingring defines a dispensing surface upon which liquid bubble solutionadheres to the moveable dispensing ring across a dispensing aperture.The liquid bubble solution utilized in the present embodiment may beobtained or sold separately, or in conjunction with the bubble toydevice in the same packaging or box. The bubble toy device may havethreads defined in the walls of a primary opening to which a typical,commercially sold bubble solution container may be removeably-attachedby mating said threads in the walls of the primary opening withcomplimentary threads defined on the outside walls of said typical,commercially sold bubble solution container. The bubble toy device pump,whether electromechanical or mechanical, causes movement of the bubblesolution through at least one (1) tube, which causes the bubble solutionto be delivered to the moveable dispensing ring, or stationarydispensing ring in another embodiment. Pulling the trigger of thepresent invention activates the electromechanical pump, the fan, andinitiates an up-and-down motion of a film producing mechanism. The filmproducing mechanism moves the dispensing ring in an up-and-down motionacross a stationary application bar, which can be horizontally ordiagonally oriented, thus sweeping a layer of bubble solution over thedispensing aperture of the moveable dispensing ring, or the stationarydispensing ring in another embodiment. At the same time that the bubblesolution is swept over the dispensing ring, the air stream generated bythe fan travels through the air channel within the fan shroud and expelsone (1) or more bubbles from the secondary opening of the bubble toydevice.

If excess bubble solution accumulates on the moveable dispensing ring, adrip flange located at the base of the moveable dispensing ring directsthe excess bubble solution downward into a drip channel attached to athreaded base. The drip channel can direct the excess bubble solutioninto the ambient or a bubble container when a bubble container is soattached. It is preferable for the drip channel to be funnel-shaped,being wider at the top facing the dispensing aperture and narrower atthe bottom.

In embodiments of the present invention employing a mechanical pump, allthe basic components of the embodiments using an electromechanical pumpare present. Therefore, only the added features need be explained andare discussed below.

When employing a mechanical pump, there can be an electromechanicalsequence whereby two (2) displacement regimes are sequentially activatedby the displacement of the trigger, and the entire displacement range ofthe trigger is divided into two (2) displacement regimes, with a firstdisplacement regime occurring when the trigger is first displaced bysqueezing the trigger, and a second displacement regime occurring afterthe first displacement regime, which continues as the trigger isincreasingly displaced by continued squeezing until the trigger ismaximally displaced. When the trigger is first squeezed, there can be aclosure of an electrical switch caused by a small initial displacementof the trigger, and the switch can remain closed during the entiredisplacement range of motion of the trigger. The film producingmechanism can be activated during the first displacement regime and themechanical pump can be activated during the second displacement regime.The ability to activate the film producing mechanism during the firstdisplacement regime and the mechanical pump during the seconddisplacement regime enables a very useful feature whereby the filmproducing mechanism can be operated during the first displacement regimeindependently of the mechanical pump and the mechanical pump can beoperated during said second displacement regime independently of thefilm producing mechanism. Such independent operation can be utilized bysqueezing the trigger all the way, partially releasing the trigger,re-squeezing the trigger several times in order to pump bubble solutionto the dispensing ring, releasing the trigger all the way, and partiallyoperating the trigger so as to only actuate the film producingmechanism. During the aforementioned independent operation sequence, thefan can produce an air stream to continue to blow bubbles so long asthere is sufficient bubble solution on the dispensing ring. When thebubble solution supply is exhausted, the trigger can be depressed allthe way to pump more bubble solution on the dispensing ring.

In embodiments employing a mechanical pump, such as the embodiment(s)just described above, one (1) embodiment can employ a movable dispensingring on a film producing mechanism that is pivotally attached to the fanshroud, and a stationary application bar can be attached to a dripchannel. Another embodiment can employ a moving application bar on afilm producing mechanism that is pivotally attached to the fan shroud,and a stationary dispensing ring can be positioned such that the centerof the air stream is directed through the dispensing aperture.

In one (1) embodiment, the bubble toy device of the present inventionmay also have one (1) or more light-emitting diode (LED) lights orlighting system(s) that are activated by manually pulling the trigger,or by a switch. The bubble toy device of the present invention may alsohave a sound-producing device that is also activated by pulling thetrigger, or by a switch. Such LED lights and sound-producing featurestaken together or individually increase the overall enjoyment of thebubble toy device and make the bubble toy device more appealing tochildren.

Further appeal can be realized when light can be transmitted into theremoveably-attachable container that can contain bubble solution, whichcan occur when a flexible or rigid light pipe that can be made from anymaterial that can transmit light is utilized.

The bubble toy device housing can, in whole or in part, have an animal,character, or creature style and/or is a molded shell of an animal,character, or creature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the bubble toy device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bubble toy device of the presentinvention, showing the inner workings of the basic parts of the bubbletoy device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing the trigger-handle subassembly of thebubble toy device of the present invention when the trigger isdepressed.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view showing the trigger-handle subassembly of thebubble toy device of the present invention when the trigger is notdepressed.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the bubble toy with the film producingmechanism shown in a “down” position.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the bubble toy with the film producingmechanism shown in an “up” position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a power circuit for the bubble toydevice of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of a battery compartment of one (1)embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows the mechanical linkage between the trigger and the filmproducing mechanism of one (1) embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment with ananimal, character, creature or other styled or molded into the shell oroutside or housing.

FIG. 11 shows a side view schematic representation for a movingapplication bar and stationary dispensing ring embodiment, showing thetrigger, the film producing mechanism, and the mechanical pump.

FIG. 12 shows the extension and details of the two (2) regime slot.

FIG. 13 shows three (3) key positions in the two (2) regime slot.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C each show a side view of a schematicrepresentation of one (1) of three (3) key trigger positions in the two(2) regime slot for a moving application bar and stationary dispensingring embodiment, including of the trigger, the film producing mechanism,and the mechanical pump in each one (1) of the three (3) triggerpositions.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15 C each show a side view of a schematicrepresentation of one (1) of the three (3) key trigger positions in thetwo (2) regime slot for a movable dispensing ring and stationaryapplication bar embodiment, including of the trigger, the film producingmechanism, and the mechanical pump in each one (1) of the three (3)trigger positions.

FIG. 16 shows a side view of the out shell styled as a gun.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view with internal components of one (1)embodiment.

FIG. 18 shows a side view of a light and light pipe for illuminatingbubble solution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the bubble toy device 100. The bubble toydevice 100 has a bubble toy device housing 102, a primary opening 104with threads defined in walls of the primary opening 104, and asecondary opening 106 from which air bubbles will emanate. The bubbletoy device 100 also has a handle 108 and a trigger mechanism or trigger110. In this embodiment, the handle 108 may include a batterycompartment 136 (labeled in FIG. 2), which can be in the form of asealed container, and is shown with a transparent door 1001. Other thanthe door 1001, the bubble toy device housing 102 shown in FIG. 1 isopaque though it can be any color. Also, although the door 1001 is shownas being transparent in the figures, it can also be opaque or partiallytransparent and/or partially opaque, or any color.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the bubble toy device 100, inwhich bubble toy device housing 102 is transparent. In FIG. 2, deliverytube 112 extends downward for receiving bubble solution from theexterior, and is usually from a reservoir source or container throughthe primary opening 104 which may have a mechanism for attaching toopening 103, and, when a separate (not permanently attached)removeably-attachable bubble solution container 170 (not claimed as partof the invention bubble toy device 100 herein, but shown in FIGS. 2 and10) is attached to opening 104 using mechanism for attaching to opening103. The delivery tube 112 extends into the bubble solution from anexterior source, which is usually from an exterior reservoir source orcontainer. The bubble toy device 100 has the secondary opening 106 and amoveable dispensing ring 114 with a dispensing aperture 116. Thedispensing aperture 116 provides a path for egress of air and of soapbubbles.

Referring to FIG. 7, a power circuit 8 provides electrical power toactivate mechanisms of the bubble toy device 100, including an electricmotor 121 for operating an electromechanical pump 120 and a fan 122. Thefan 122 has a fan shroud 123 that helps to direct air towards thesecondary opening 106 and the dispensing aperture 116 of moveabledispensing ring 114. The delivery tube 112 extends from theelectromechanical pump 120 via the electromechanical pump input 156 tobubble solution from the exterior, which usually comes from a reservoirsource or container (removeably-attachable bubble solution container 170shown in FIGS. 2 and 10) through the primary opening 104 to provide aconvenient source of bubble solution to the electromechanical pump input156 of the electromechanical pump 120.

Many types of electrically driven pumps may be used for theelectromechanical pump 120, such as a gear pump, a screw pump or aplunger pump or other positive displacement pump. In theelectromechanical pump 120 shown in FIG. 2, rotation is caused by thedrive gear 119. The electromechanical pump 120 receives the bubblesolution at the electromechanical pump input 156 and outputs the bubblesolution at the electromechanical pump output 158 of theelectromechanical pump 120 at a sufficiently increased pressure todeliver bubble solution to the dispensing ring 114.

Bubble solution exits the electromechanical pump 120 through theelectromechanical pump output 158 and is transported through a feed tube125 and exits the feed tube 125 near the moveable dispensing ring 114.The fan 122 produces moving air that is expelled through an air channel126 defined in the fan shroud 123 and subsequently exits through thedispensing aperture 116. Inlet air is provided to the fan 122 through ahole and/or series of holes in fan shroud 129 at the top of the fanshroud 123. A film producing mechanism 124 is pivotally attached to theair channel 126.

The film producing mechanism 124 moves the moveable dispensing ring 114in an up-and-down motion next to the stationary application bar 154 todeposit a thin film of bubble solution on the moveable dispensing ring114. The film producing mechanism 124 is mechanically linked to thetrigger 110 such that pulling the trigger 110 raises the film producingmechanism 124 and releasing the trigger 110 lowers the film producingmechanism 124. In other embodiments, pulling the trigger 110 lowers thefilm producing mechanism 124 and releasing the trigger 110 raises thefilm producing mechanism 124.

When air moves through the air channel 126 and past the moveabledispensing ring 114, the flowing air creates a bubble or many bubblesthat float away from the bubble toy device 100. If there is any excessbubble solution on the moveable dispensing ring 114, this solution dripsdown a drip flange 128, into a drip channel 130 attached to or definedwithin an interior of the bubble toy device housing 102, and eventuallyreturns to primary opening 104 which can lead to the ambient, any typeof reservoir, source of liquid, or a removeably-attachable bubblesolution container (not shown).

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a trigger/handle subassembly for the bubble toydevice 100 of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, thetrigger 110 is attached to an electrically conductive metal spring 133,which is further attached to and fed by a spring feed wire 113. When thetrigger 110 is being pulled or depressed, as shown in FIG. 3, the switch111 (depicted schematically in FIG. 7) is in a closed position, thusconducting electricity. The switch 111 is formed by the metal spring 133and the contact zone on electric motor 118, thus utilizing theelectrically conductive metal casing of the electric motor 121 as one(1) of the electrical contacts of the switch 111. FIG. 4 shows thetrigger/handle subassembly when trigger 110 is not being pulled ordepressed, and thus the switch 111 is in the open position because themetal spring 133 and the contact zone on electric motor 118 are not incontact with each other, and are not conducting electricity.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show and end view looking into where the bubbles exit thebubble toy device 100. FIG. 5 shows the invention with the filmproducing mechanism 124 (shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 17) in a lowerposition when the trigger 110 is not being pulled. FIG. 6 shows theinvention with the film producing mechanism 124 (shown in FIGS. 2, 9,and 17) in a raised position when the trigger 110 is being pulled. Inthis embodiment the stationary application bar 154 is attached to thedrip channel 130. When the trigger 110 is not pulled as shown in FIG. 5,the moveable dispensing ring 114 the of the film producing mechanism 124(shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 17) rests at or near the bottom of its travel,and thus the stationary application bar 154 rests across and touches thetop of the moveable dispensing ring 114. When the trigger 110 is pulledall the way as shown in FIG. 6, the moveable dispensing ring 114 of thefilm producing mechanism 124 (shown in FIGS. 2, 9, and 17) rests at ornear the top of its travel, and the stationary application bar 154 restsacross and touches the bottom of the moveable dispensing ring 114, thusspreading a thin film of a bubble producing liquid across the dispensingaperture 116 when the moveable dispensing ring 114 executes a full rangeof motion from the bottom to the top, which causes the stationaryapplication bar 154 to smear bubble producing liquid from the top to thebottom of the moveable dispensing ring 114.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic side view of the film producing mechanism 124,which is operated by the trigger 110. The trigger 110 is rigidlyattached to or integrally formed with a flat plate 142. Extension 144 isattached to or integrally formed with the flat plate 142 and extendsupward (at an angle in this embodiment) from the flat plate 142.Extension 144 includes elongated slot 148. Horizontal post 146, whichextends perpendicularly out of the plane of the drawing in FIG. 9, fitsin the elongated slot 148, and thus moves up or down as the extension144 moves left or right with the trigger 110 being pulled or released.

The film producing mechanism 124 is pivotally connected to the airchannel 126. A first end 150 of the film producing mechanism 124 has aU-shaped portion which is attached to the air channel 126 using fastener151 (shown in FIG. 2) which projects from the air channel 126. Othermethods of connection are possible and the method of retention is notlimited to use of one (1) or more screws or other fasteners orattachment device(s). The moveable dispensing ring 114 is attached to orformed integrally with the film producing mechanism 124 at the secondend 152 of the film producing mechanism 124.

A center portion of torsion spring 160 is attached to rod 162 with afirst spring end 164 attached to the flat plate 142 or its extension144. A second spring end 166 is secured rigidly in place at or leansagainst a shoulder 168 defined in the bubble toy device housing 102.With this arrangement, the pulling of the trigger 110 by a user causesthe flat plate 142 to slide against and displace the torsion spring 160,thus causing the torsion spring 160 to exert a restoring force on firstspring end 164, and this in turn will cause the trigger 110 to return toits original position as the trigger 110 is released by the user.

Furthermore, the pulling of the trigger 110 causes the horizontal post146 to move in the elongated slot 148 such that the horizontal post 146engages walls of the elongated slot 148 and causes the second end 152 ofthe film producing mechanism 124 to pivotally move upward, thus causingthe moveable dispensing ring 114 to swipe against the stationaryapplication bar 154. With the release of the trigger 110, the torsionspring 160 causes the flat plate 142 to return to its original position,which in turn causes the second end 152 of the film producing mechanism124 to return to a down position, which in turn causes the moveabledispensing ring 114 to return to a down position. This up-and-downmovement of the moveable dispensing ring 114 causes the bubble solutiondelivered to the moveable dispensing ring 114 to be spread across thedispensing aperture 116 by the stationary application bar 154. Alsoshown in FIG. 9 are the metal spring 133 and spring feed wire 113 thatmove with the motion of the trigger 110.

Also depicted in FIG. 2 are LED lights 131 contained within or on thebubble toy device 100. Some or all of the LED lights 131 may beconfigured to flash on and off while the trigger 110 is being pulled,and some or all of the LED lights 131 may be configured to remain lit aslong as the trigger 110 is being pulled. The LED lights 131 can also belit by a manually operated switch (not shown).

FIG. 7 shows an electrical schematic for the bubble toy device 100. Whenthe trigger 110 is pulled, the switch 111 is closed to provideelectrical current from the voltage source 139, which is produced by abattery or batteries 134 (shown in FIG. 8) which can be inserted intothe sealed container 136 (shown in FIG. 8) of the invention, and thevarious electrical components of the bubble toy device 100 thus receivepower. In FIG. 7, switch 111 schematically represents the metal spring133 that contacts the contact zone on electrical motor 118 when thetrigger 110 is pulled, as shown in FIG. 3. When the switch 111 closes,power is applied to the electric motor 121 that powers theelectromechanical pump 120 and the fan 122, and also the LED lights 131,and a sound producing device 132 if these are present. Thesound-producing device 132 produces any provided audio such as a noise,music and/or other sounds appealing to children when the trigger 110 ispulled. Electrical connections between the various electrical componentsmay be provided by electrical wires or by electrical contacts providedwithin the bubble toy device housing 102.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a battery compartment formed from a sealedcontainer 136 to contain a battery or batteries 134. The embodiment ofthe sealed container 136 depicted in FIG. 8 displays three (3) AAbatteries, which could be inserted and lined up next to each other.However, the sealed container 136 can be designed to hold any number ortype of batteries. Also, when three (3) AA batteries are used, thesealed container 136 does not need to be configured such that thebatteries are lined up next to each other. Instead, any configuration ispossible. For example, three (3) AA batteries can be arranged as shownin FIG. 4 with two (2) of the batteries lined up next to each other andthe third battery behind them. In preferred embodiments of the inventionthe battery or batteries 134 are located in a sealed container such assealed container 136 to minimize or eliminate contact between thebattery or batteries 134 and any liquid.

In FIG. 8, the battery or batteries 134 are inserted into a sealedcontainer 136 with external contacts 138. The external contacts 138engage ordinary battery contacts to provide electrical energy to thepower circuit 8 upon closure of switch 111 when trigger 110 isdepressed, as shown schematically FIG. 7 (though in FIG. 7 the switch isdepicted in the open position).

The battery compartment is designed with three (3) main goals. The firstgoal is to limit the amount of moisture and bubble liquid that can flowinto the battery compartment, which is accomplished in this embodimentthrough the use of a sealed battery compartment, which is sealed to keepout liquids and moisture. The second goal is to have a safe chamber tohouse batteries. The third goal is to have the ability to insertbatteries into the bubble toy device from the side rather than throughthe bottom.

In general, batteries have the ability to rapidly discharge andsometimes heat up. The kind of batteries used for the bubble toy device100 are small and limited in power but still have the ability tooverheat and/or rupture for chemical or electrochemical reasons. If abattery ruptures and bursts open, it can push into the ends of a batterycompartment. Because the design of the battery compartment has the dooron the side rather than the top or bottom, this design helps control andcontain a battery failure where internal expansion occurs axially, thusnot applying excess force to the battery door, but rather to theinternal walls of the battery compartment. The batteries are small sothat the impact of any break up can be contained within the bubble toydevice 100.

The battery compartment has a side door that opens with a securingdevice 137, such as, for example, a screw (shown in FIGS. 2 and 17).This allows the cover to be removed and the battery or batteries 134accessed from the side. By inserting the battery or batteries 134 fromthe side, a user may better identify the proper polarity of the batteryterminals and thereby minimize the possibility of incorrect insertion. Aclear image of the proper battery polarity is imprinted (not shown) inthe battery cover door 1001 to further minimize the probability ofimproper insertion of the battery or batteries 134. The battery orbatteries 134 may be replaced by taking each battery out individually.When a battery compartment has a door on the top or bottom, thebatteries can fall out on the ground during changing. The side batterycover also closes on the battery or batteries 134 making a good tightfit. This design helps the electrical connections to be good and tight.

FIG. 10 is an alternate embodiment with an animal, character, creatureor other image styled or molded into the shell, or outside, or bubbletoy device housing 102 of the bubble toy device 100.

FIG. 16 shows a side view styled as a gun with the handle specificallyshowing the door 1001, as well as the bubble toy device housing 102 andthe trigger 110.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of inside components of an embodimentstyled as a gun, showing the electromechanical pump 120, the electricmotor 121, the fan 122, and the air channel 126. The film producingmechanism 124 is pivotally attached to the air channel 126 via fastener151. Trigger 110 is attached to flat plate 142 from which emanatesextension 144. A portion of the elongated slot 148 can also be seen.Attached to the film producing mechanism 124 is the moveable dispensingring 114, and the dispensing aperture 116 can also be seen. Thestationary application bar 154 is attached to the drip channel 130, andthis is more clearly shown in FIG. 17 where the moveable dispensing ring114 is shown in an upper position relative to the stationary applicationbar 154. The drip channel 130 is attached to and supported from athreaded base 117.

FIG. 18 shows an internal view of an LED box 181 in which a source oflight is located, and from this LED box 181 emanates a light pipe 182 totransmit light into a removeably-attachable bubble solution container170, should one be connected. The light pipe 182 can be fiber optic orPVC or other material that can transmit light, and can be flexible orrigid.

In another embodiment of this invention, the electromechanical pump 120,which is operated by the electric motor 121, is replaced by a purelymechanical pump 500 as shown in FIG. 11. A mechanical pump that isoperated by the mechanical action of the trigger 110 is a more efficientuse of electric power because only the fan 122 need be operated (inaddition to any lights and/or sounds). Also, the user will squeeze thetrigger 110 to deliver bubble solution only when necessary whereas withany electrically operated pump a surplus of bubble solution must becontinuously delivered to the dispensing ring, whether a moveabledispensing ring 114 in one (1) embodiment (with a stationary applicationbar 154) or a stationary dispensing ring 115 (with a moving applicationbar 155) in different embodiments. Further, by decreasing the currentdrain from any electric power source, less power is lost due to powertransmission or internal resistive losses within the battery orbatteries.

FIG. 11 depicts one (1) embodiment of a mechanical pump 500 that can beactivated by the motion of the trigger 110, and also depicted is thefilm producing mechanism 124, the horizontal post 146, and the two (2)regime slot 520 that the horizontal post 146 is captured within. Themechanical pump 500 is typical of what might be found in a water pistol,and this mechanical pump is only representative of many differentmechanical pumps that can perform the same mechanical function when aplunger is linearly displaced. In this depiction, moving plunger 511(not in contact with the trigger 110) is a piston within the mechanicalpump body 510. The pump 500 is fed by a mechanical pump input tube 504that connects to the mechanical pump input 503. The pump 500 dischargesliquid through mechanical pump output 501 into mechanical pump outputtube 502 when the moving plunger 511 is depressed into the mechanicalpump body 510 as a result of displacement of the trigger 110. When thetrigger 110 is released, the plunger spring 512 returns the movingplunger 511 to the starting position as depicted in FIG. 11. Not shownare the internal one way valves that would enable liquid to only exitthe mechanical pump output 501 when the moving plunger 511 compressesinto the mechanical pump body 510 or to enable liquid to only enter themechanical pump body 510 through the mechanical pump input 503 when themoving plunger 511 retracts from the mechanical pump body 510 under theinfluence of the plunger spring 512. Also depicted in FIG. 11 is theconductive metal spring 133 and the contact zone on electric motor 118which collectively form the switch 111. Also shown is the spring feedwire 113 that brings electrical power to the metal spring 133. As shownin FIG. 11, the switch 111 is in the electrically open position. Slightdisplacement of trigger 110 will bring the metal spring 133 into contactwith the contact zone on electric motor 118, thus closing switch 111.Further compression of the trigger 110 continues to keep the switch 111closed.

FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of the extension 144. Two (2) regime slot520 is composed of the film producing mechanism regime 521 and themechanical pump regime 522.

FIG. 13 shows three (3) key positions throughout the travel ofhorizontal post 146 within the two (2) regime slot 520, and thesepositions are schematically represented in FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C. InFIG. 14A the trigger is not depressed and the film producing mechanism124 is in the film producing mechanism low position 525. In thisposition, switch 111 (also shown in FIG. 11) is in the open position.After a slight depression of the trigger 110, switch 111 closes andpower is applied to the electric motor 121, which operates the fan 122and other circuits depicted in FIG. 7. The horizontal post 146 is nowtraveling within the film producing mechanism regime 521 shown in FIGS.12 and 13. The trigger 110 continues to displace as pressure is applied,and the film producing mechanism regime 521 terminates at the filmproducing mechanism high position 526 (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14B).Closure of switch 111 is maintained, and in the film producing mechanismhigh position 526 the trigger 110 is now in contact with the movingplunger 511 of the mechanical pump 500. Continued depression of trigger110 now begins to operate the mechanical pump 500, and horizontal post146 is now in the mechanical pump regime 522 as shown in FIG. 12.Further depression of the trigger 110 finally terminates at themechanical pump fully depressed position 527 (FIGS. 13 and 14C), and thetrigger 110 is at the position of maximum displacement. Also, switch 111remains closed, with the metal spring 133 at maximum compression againstthe contact zone on electric motor 118. During trigger 110 displacementin the mechanical pump regime 522, the film producing mechanism 124remains in the same elevated position as in the film producing mechanismhigh position 526, and further, in all positions within the mechanicalpump regime 522 (shown in FIG. 12), the film producing mechanism 124remains at constant elevation.

In FIG. 14A the moving application bar 155 is at the bottom of thestationary dispensing ring 115 in the film producing mechanism lowposition 525. As trigger 110 is depressed, the moving application bar155 moves across the stationary dispensing ring 115, spreading a thinfilm of bubble solution over the dispensing aperture 116 until at thefilm producing mechanism high position 526, and the moving applicationbar 155 is now at the top of the stationary dispensing ring 115, asdepicted in FIG. 14B. Further depression of the trigger 110 operates themechanical pump 500 without any change in the position of the filmproducing mechanism 124 or the moving application bar 155 against thestationary dispensing ring 115, with the trigger 110 terminating in themechanical pump fully depressed position 527 as shown in FIG. 14C.

The following refers to FIGS. 12, 13, and 15. In FIG. 15A the top of themoveable dispensing ring 114 is in contact with the stationaryapplication bar 154 in the film producing mechanism low position 525. Astrigger 110 is depressed, the moveable dispensing ring 114 moves acrossthe stationary application bar 154, spreading a thin film of bubblesolution over the dispensing aperture 116 until at the film producingmechanism high position 526, and the stationary application bar 154 isnow in contact with the bottom of moveable dispensing ring 114, asdepicted in FIG. 15B. Further depression of the trigger 110 operates themechanical pump 500 without any change in the position of the filmproducing mechanism 124 or the moveable dispensing ring 114 against thestationary application bar 154, with the trigger 110 terminating in themechanical pump fully depressed position 527 as shown in FIG. 15C.

It must be noted that a unique feature of these embodiments (movingapplication bar 155 and stationary dispensing ring 115 of FIG. 14 ormoveable dispensing ring 114 and stationary application bar 154 of FIG.15) is that the film producing mechanism 124 can be operatedindependently of the mechanical pump 500 while in the film producingmechanism regime 521, and the mechanical pump 500 can be operatedindependently of the film producing mechanism 124 while in themechanical pump regime 522.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the various embodiments of the invention, thisdetailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made indetail, and especially in matters of structure and arrangement of partswithin the principles of the present invention to the full extentindicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which theappended claims are expressed.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention should not be limited to the described embodiments.Rather, various changes and modifications can be made within the spiritand scope of the present invention.

PARTS LIST Number Description 8 Power circuit 100 Bubble toy device 102Bubble toy device housing 103 Mechanism for attaching to opening 104Primary opening 106 Secondary opening 108 Handle 110 Trigger 111 Switch(formed by metal spring 133 and Contact zone on electric motor 118) 112Delivery tube 113 Spring feed wire 114 Moveable dispensing ring 115Stationary dispensing ring 116 Dispensing aperture 117 Threaded base 118Contact zone on electric motor 119 Drive gear 120 Electromechanical pump121 Electric motor 122 Fan 123 Fan shroud 124 Film producing mechanism125 Feed tube 126 Air channel 128 Drip flange 129 Hole and/or series ofholes in fan shroud 130 Drip channel 131 LED Lights 132 Sound producingdevice 133 Metal spring 134 Battery or batteries (one is pointed to) 136Sealed container 137 Securing device 138 External contacts 139 Voltagesource 142 Flat plate 144 Extension 146 Horizontal post 148 Elongatedslot 150 Film producing mechanism first end 151 Fastener 152 Filmproducing mechanism second end 154 Stationary application bar 155 Movingapplication bar 156 Electromechanical pump input 158 Electromechanicalpump output 160 Torsion spring 162 Rod 164 First spring end 166 Secondspring end 168 Shoulder 170 Removeably-attachable bubble solutioncontainer 181 LED box 182 Optic fiber string 500 Mechanical pump 501Mechanical pump output 502 Mechanical pump output tube 503 Mechanicalpump input 504 Mechanical pump input tube 510 Mechanical pump body 511Moving plunger 512 Plunger spring 520 Two (2) regime slot 521 Filmproducing mechanism regime 522 Mechanical pump regime 525 Film producingmechanism low position 526 Film producing mechanism high position 527Mechanical pump fully depressed position 1001 Door

What is claimed:
 1. A bubble toy device for producing bubbles frombubble solution, comprising: a. a housing; b. a battery compartment andelectrical connection system; c. a trigger that operates at least one(1) mechanism and causes at least one (1) electrical closure to be made;d. a motor that operates a fan and an electromechanical pump; e. saidfan produces an air stream from the bubble toy device to an ambientenvironment; f. a fan shroud containing an air channel that directs saidair stream to the ambient environment; g. a movable dispensing ring witha dispensing aperture provided therein; h. at least one (1) tube fromthe ambient or bubble solution for carrying bubble solution; i. saidelectromechanical pump comprising a mechanism for pumping bubblesolution through said at least one (1) tube, said at least one (1) tubedelivering bubble solution to said movable dispensing ring; and j. asaid trigger operated film producing mechanism pivotally attached tosaid air channel, with said movable dispensing ring that engages bubblesolution on a stationary application bar and spreads bubble solutionacross said dispensing aperture, and said air stream passes through saiddispensing aperture.
 2. The bubble toy device of claim 1 furthercomprising LED lights and/or a lighting system.
 3. The bubble toy deviceof claim 1 further comprising a sound producing device and/or a soundproducing system.
 4. The bubble toy device of claim 1 wherein saidbattery compartment is a sealed container with external contacts thatcan hold at least one (1) removebly-insertable battery.
 5. The bubbletoy device in claim 4 wherein said sealed container has a cover that isattached and separated or opened by use of an attaching and removingdevice or fastener or screw to be tightened to close and loosened orremoved to open.
 6. The bubble toy device of claim 5 wherein said sealedcontainer is designed so as to allow insertion and removal of batteriesfrom the side of a handle.
 7. The bubble toy device of claim 5 whereinsaid sealed container is located above said fan shroud.
 8. The bubbletoy device of claim 7 wherein said sealed container is designed so as toallow insertion and removal of batteries from the top and/or side. 9.The bubble toy device of claim 1 wherein said stationary application baris diagonally oriented.
 10. The bubble toy device of claim 1 whereinsaid housing in whole or in part has an animal, character, or creaturestyle and/or is a molded shell of an animal, character, or creature. 11.The bubble toy device of claim 1 wherein a drip channel is attached to athreaded base, which is captured within, said housing when said housingis assembled.
 12. The bubble toy device of claim 2 wherein light istransmitted into a removeably-attachable container containing liquid.13. A bubble toy device for producing bubbles from bubble solution,comprising: a. a housing; b. a battery compartment and electricalconnection system; c. a trigger that operates at least one (1) mechanismand causes at least one (1) electrical closure to be made; d. a motorthat operates a fan; e. said fan produces an air stream from the bubbletoy device to an ambient environment; f. a fan shroud containing an airchannel that directs said air stream to the ambient environment; g. adispensing ring with a dispensing aperture provided therein; h. said atleast one mechanism is a mechanical pump that is operated by saidtrigger; i. at least one (1) tube from the ambient or bubble solutionfor carrying bubble solution; j. said mechanical pump comprising amechanism for pumping bubble solution through said at least one (1)tube, said at least one (1) tube delivering bubble solution to saiddispensing ring; and k. a said trigger operated film producing mechanismpivotally attached to said air channel, with an application bar thatengages bubble solution on said dispensing ring and spreads bubblesolution across said dispensing aperture, and said air stream passesthrough said dispensing aperture.
 14. The bubble toy device of claim 13further comprising an electromechanical sequence whereby: a. two (2)displacement regimes are sequentially activated by the displacement ofsaid trigger, and the entire displacement range of said trigger isdivided into said two (2) displacement regimes, with a firstdisplacement regime occurring when said trigger is first displaced bysqueezing said trigger, and a second displacement regime occurring aftersaid first displacement regime, and said second displacement regimecontinues as said trigger is increasingly displaced by continuedsqueezing until said trigger is maximally displaced; b. the closure ofan electrical switch is caused by a small initial displacement of saidtrigger and remains closed during the said entire displacement range ofmotion of said trigger; and c. said film producing mechanism isactivated during said first displacement regime and said mechanical pumpis activated during said second displacement period.
 15. The bubble toydevice of claim 14 further comprising an operation whereby said filmproducing mechanism is operated during said first displacement regimeindependently of said mechanical pump and said mechanical pump isoperated during said second displacement regime independently of saidfilm producing mechanism.
 16. The bubble toy device of claim 13 furthercomprising LED lights and/or a lighting system.
 17. The bubble toydevice of claim 13 further comprising a sound producing device and/orsound producing system.
 18. The bubble toy device of claim 13 whereinsaid battery compartment is a sealed container with external contactsthat can hold at least one (1) removebly-insertable battery.
 19. Thebubble toy device in claim 18 wherein said sealed container has a coverthat is attached and separated or opened by use of an attaching andremoving device or fastener or screw to be tightened to close andloosened or removed to open.
 20. The bubble toy device of claim 19wherein said sealed container is designed so as to allow insertion andremoval of batteries from the side of a handle.
 21. The bubble toydevice of claim 19 wherein said battery compartment is located abovesaid fan shroud.
 22. The bubble toy device of claim 21 wherein saidsealed container is designed so as to allow insertion and removal ofbatteries from the top and/or side.
 23. The bubble toy device of claim13 wherein said application bar is diagonally oriented.
 24. The bubbletoy device of claim 13 wherein said housing in whole or in part has ananimal, character, or creature style and/or is a molded shell of ananimal, character, or creature.
 25. The bubble toy device of claim 13wherein a drip channel is attached to a threaded base which is capturedwithin said housing when said housing is assembled.
 26. The bubble toydevice of claim 16 wherein light is transmitted into aremoveably-attachable container containing liquid.
 27. A bubble toydevice for producing bubbles from bubble solution, comprising: a. ahousing; b. a battery compartment and electrical connection system; c. atrigger that operates at least one (1) mechanism and causes at least one(1) electrical closure to be made; d. a motor that operates a fan; e.said fan produces an air stream from the bubble toy device to an ambientenvironment; f. a fan shroud containing an air channel that directs saidair stream to the ambient environment; g. a moveable dispensing ringwith a dispensing aperture provided therein; h. said at least one (1)mechanism is a mechanical pump that is operated by said trigger; i. atleast one (1) tube from the ambient or bubble solution for carryingbubble solution; j. said mechanical pump comprising a mechanism forpumping bubble solution through said at least one (1) tube, said atleast one (1) tube delivering bubble solution to said moveabledispensing ring; and k. a said trigger operated film producing mechanismpivotally attached to said air channel, with a stationary applicationbar that engages bubble solution on said moveable dispensing ring andspreads bubble solution across said dispensing aperture, and said airstream passes through said dispensing aperture.
 28. The bubble toydevice of claim 27 further comprising: a. an electromechanical sequencewhereby: b. two (2) displacement regimes are sequentially activated bythe displacement of said trigger, and the entire displacement range ofsaid trigger is divided into said two (2) displacement regimes, with afirst displacement regime occurring when said trigger is first displacedby squeezing said trigger, and a second displacement regime occurringafter said first displacement regime, and said second displacementregime continues as said trigger is increasingly displaced by continuedsqueezing until said trigger is maximally displaced; c. the closure ofan electrical switch is caused by a small initial displacement of saidtrigger and remains closed during the said entire displacement range ofmotion of said trigger; and d. said film producing mechanism isactivated during said first displacement regime and said mechanical pumpis activated during said second displacement period.
 29. The bubble toydevice of claim 28 further comprising an operation whereby said filmproducing mechanism is operated during said first displacement regimeindependently of said mechanical pump and said mechanical pump isoperated during said second displacement regime independently of saidfilm producing mechanism.
 30. The bubble toy device of claim 27 furthercomprising LED lights and/or a lighting system.
 31. The bubble toydevice of claim 27 further comprising a sound producing device and/orsound producing system.
 32. The bubble toy device of claim 27 whereinsaid battery compartment is a sealed container with external contactsthat can hold at least one (1) removebly-insertable battery.
 33. Thebubble toy device in claim 32 wherein said sealed container has a coverthat is attached and separated or opened by use of an attaching andremoving device or fastener or screw to be tightened to close andloosened or removed to open.
 34. The bubble toy device of claim 33wherein said sealed container is designed so as to allow insertion andremoval of batteries from the side of a handle.
 35. The bubble toydevice of claim 33 wherein said battery compartment is located abovesaid fan shroud.
 36. The bubble toy device of claim 35 wherein saidsealed container is designed so as to allow insertion and removal ofbatteries from the top and/or side.
 37. The bubble toy device of claim27 wherein said stationary application bar is diagonally oriented. 38.The bubble toy device of claim 27 wherein said housing in whole or inpart has an animal, character, or creature style and/or is a moldedshell of an animal, character, or creature.
 39. The bubble toy device ofclaim 27 wherein a drip channel is attached to a threaded base which iscaptured within said housing when said housing is assembled.
 40. Thebubble toy device of claim 30 wherein light is transmitted into aremoveably-attachable container containing liquid.